Depression

After the tragic demise of Sushant Singh Rajput , topics like mental health and depression are the centre of attention. . Since our mind drives everything in and out of our body ,24/7, it can fall sick just like our body does . Talking about Indian society’s understanding of depression ,it is mix of myths and misconceptions ,which are particularly important for discussion.

What is depression?

A mental health disorder characterised by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in the activities , causing significant impairment in daily life. Biological , psychological and social sources of distress increasingly cause changes in the brain function , including altered activity of certain neural circuits in the brain . 

Why depression happens?

Our body is a home of various miraculous yet continous activities, one such activities happen at the molecular level referred to as molecular activities.The combination of molecular activities happening simultaneously in the body determines the mental and the physical health. Furthermore when all these activities are placed in a specific environment,  for instance, a very high stress environment for a very long time then most of the people might suffer from depression . There are number of factors that may increase the chance of depression including the following:

  • Abuse 

Any kind of physical, emotional or sexual abuse past or present increases the susceptibility to depression.

  • Death

Loss of loved ones may enhance the risk of depression . It is more common in children.

  • Conflict

Prolonged personal or professional disputes may be very depressing to someone who has the biological vulnerability to stress.

  • Family history 

According to a research done by British scientists , it is proved that genetics of the family play major role in causing depression in the pedigree. Members of such families are more prone to depression. They believe that 40 % of those with depression can trace it to a genetic link. 

  • Key events

All the major events of our life whether good or bad may lead to depression. It is a misconception that only bad events have the negative effect on the brain . Getting new job , getting married can also alter the molecular level activities leading to major effects. So are the contrary situations of losing a job or getting divorced.

  • Temporary get aways

Even if drugs or alcohol temporarily make you feel better , they ultimately will aggravate depression.

 How stress is different from depression?

It is thought that “ Stress” is exchangeable term with depression. Sustained stress for long period of time which has the capability of breaking you, could be a cause of depression, but, stress is not the sole reason of depression. There are a lot of people who do not get depressed despite them being under stress and there are people who can get depressed even in the absence of any stress. It depends on the molecular functioning and the environmental factor , whether stress will lead to depression or not. The suitable example would be “postpartum depression” seen in many mothers right after childbirth. Most of the women post-delivery usually suffer from “Postpartum Depression”.
This form of depression has been portrayed as “No or Low effect Depression” because it is assumed that post-delivery the mother’s mental health will always be in good shape. Low mood spells get over as swiftly as they come , they last for a day or two, at most they can linger on   for a few  days. Depression causes mood swings that last for several days, sometimes with reason and sometimes without one. The low functionalities  that represent bad mood drag on for a long period of time. And it becomes immensely  difficult to break out of it . 

Treatment of depression 

To cope with depression one must

  • Follow a routine
  • Travel
  • Be creative 
  • Take multivitamins 
  • Think positive
  • Practice yoga and meditation
  • Stay clean
  • Sleep for minimum 8 hrs 
  • Eat fruits 
  • Go for walks

BUT the biggest problem in coping with depression is that it renders a person incapable of doing all this . A person feels so debilitated and helpless that they would not be able to do yoga or travel even when they want to . These things can make one happy and elevate ones mood for sometime in a mild depression but this is not a long lasting solution. Because until you address the core problem referred to as “neural mechanisms” things will not normalise. They can definitely be addressed by psychology but these are all mild versions. Treatment of depression is tailor made for every person, moreover it is not necessary that all the patients of depression should be prescribed with anti-depressant pills. The stigma attached with the anti-depressant pills is a very misinformed concept. Just like cancer cannot be cured, it has to be managed throughout your life, similarly depression can also be managed. It just requires patience and persistence.